Antonio Brown's arena football team booted from league

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Antonio Brown ushered in a new era when he became part-owner of the National Arena League’s Albany Empire this year – in the same city where his father, Eddie Brown, starred for in the 1990s.

But as quickly as the former NFL star’s time began, it appeared to be over.

The National Arena League (NAL) announced Thursday that the Empire has been kicked out of the league for failing its financial obligations and will adjust the rest of the 2023 schedule to finish out the season.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown poses for photographers after the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the L.A. Clippers at State Farm Arena on March 11, 2022, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)

"After exhausting all avenues, the NAL board of owners have decided unanimously to terminate the membership agreement of the Albany Empire," the league said in a lengthy statement published on its website. "The decision was reached after an emergency conference call of the members in good standing to discuss the Empire’s failure to pay their league mandated and overdue assessments. Each team is responsible to pay for 1/7 of the league’s operating budget via monthly assessments starting in April. The Empire’s owner, Antonio Brown, was also fined $1,000 for Conduct Detrimental to the League for his recent public comments. Mr. Brown refused to pay that fine."

"After acquiring the Albany Empire, new team owner Antonio Brown paid the Empire’s April assessment. The team then failed to make their May 15th assessment payment and last week just before the Empire’s game in Orlando, the league was